Theologian Who Lost Fight For Park Enters Race For City Council

David Dyer, a self-styled theologian who fought unsuccessfully to save a downtown park, is running for Orlando City Council against two-term incumbent Jeff Clark.

Dyer, 51, of 1012 Park Lake St., covets the District 3 seat covering north Orlando, which includes the College Park and Rosemont neighborhoods. Council members make $13,119 a year and serve four years.

''I'm going to fight full force, full steam ahead. Don't tread on me. I dare defend my rights,'' said Dyer, who quit his job as a convenience store assistant manager to establish a religious society and campaign.

A longtime critic of Mayor Bill Frederick's administration, Dyer founded STOP (Save This Orlando Park) in 1984, a few days after the council voted to sell the Beardall park to the developers of the SunBank office tower.

The park eventually was razed and the 35-story building, Orlando's largest, built. A plaza and small lawn fronts the building, partly as a concession for taking the park.

Dyer has run for office twice in Alabama and lost.

He said he intends to win this time and looks to the late President Truman for inspiration.

If elected, Dyer said, he would prod the city into doing more for the elderly and the homeless. He also is upset because the city lost nearly $1.3 million in interest after spending almost $30 million in cash reserves expanding the Florida Citrus Bowl stadium.

Dyer said he will limit individual contributions to $5 apiece and a total of $13,000. ''This job isn't worth more than it pays.''

Clark, 49, was unopposed in 1986 and may have one other opponent in the non-partisan fall election besides Dyer.

Michael Wanzie announced his intention to run against Clark, then said he would withdraw. Wanzie has not notified the city clerk's office of his decision, however.